The question of how to consecrate the icon is extremely important for many believers who feel the need to create images on their own or who do not acquire them in church shops. Often people are embarrassed to turn to temple workers with questions about what is required for consecration.
This happens for various reasons, mainly for fear of seeming ignorant. Often people who gravitate toward faith, but have not grown up in it, believe that the process of sanctification is complex and do not want to create inconvenience. However, there is nothing difficult in how to consecrate the icon, and this process will not require large expenses. As a rule, it is enough to simply contact any temple worker. This person will certainly explain what exactly needs to be done and how to properly submit a request for sanctification.
When is sanctification required?
Before you consecrate the icon in the church, you need to know whether this is really required.
The need for the rite of sanctification arises in cases where the icon:
- new, just made;
- subjected to desecration or desecration;
- went through restoration, alteration, repair.
As a rule, many people, even those who are well versed in church traditions, have difficulty understanding the term “desecration”. Meanwhile, this desecration is not just an occasion for a standard rite, it affects how to consecrate the icon. Desecration and desecration should be understood not only as vandal inscriptions or other sabotage. For example, if the icon was thrown into the pantry with the trash, placed in the trash - this is also a desecration. If a person finds an image that has passed through such trials, then before consecrating the icon, you should definitely talk with the clergyman and tell him about the circumstances of the acquisition.
In what cases is sanctification refused? About embroidered images
Not every image can be consecrated in the church. Often, women craftsmen are afraid of difficulties in how to consecrate an embroidered icon. Believing that they can be denied, people often do not try to go to church. Meanwhile, the refusal of consecration has nothing to do with the materials used to create the image or the type of work.
Images that are far from Orthodox canons are not sanctified. For example, if Jesus is depicted on the crucifixion icon in a Western, Catholic manner, that is, with crossed legs nailed with one common nail, then this is a reason for refusing sanctification.
If the needlewomen doubt whether their work will comply with the canons of Orthodoxy, you need to come to the clergyman with a sketch of the future work and ask him all the exciting questions. That is, gain clarity before the work is completed.
Of course, there are other restrictions on embroidery issues. The image of saints on shawls, napkins, pillowcases or tablecloths cannot be consecrated. Moreover, such an occupation is nothing but blasphemy.
When there is no need to consecrate icons?
There is no need to consecrate the image acquired in the church shop. Icons sold at churches are fully consistent with all the canons of Orthodoxy and are provided to customers already consecrated.
There is also no need to try to consecrate an image that does not meet Orthodox requirements. Even if we are talking about a religious plot, the image of the saint or the Lord himself, executed on the boards with paints. In the event that the canons are violated, the image is not an icon. This is just a work of art dedicated to spiritual topics. Therefore, there is no need for sanctification, because in such situations we are talking about the usual picture, and not about the subject of worship.